Christian Haywood – February 16; 2019

SKSM: Could you start with telling me a bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?

Christian Haywood:Hey! I’m a film student in East London. I’d like to write and direct film’s but at the moment I’m focusing on a career as an editor after graduating. We’re currently developing L.T.’s Theory of Pet’s as our graduation film, but we know it can be so much more than that!

Christian Haywood: So, we’re currently in pre-production, we’ve cast the film and have our location, and are just looking into getting the pets themselves. It’s kind of the make or break part of production, but it relies on how much we’re able to raise on our crowdfunding page; we don’t need much (we’re a team of penny pinchers), but what we do need is ESSENTIAL!

SKSM: How come you picked L.T’s Theory of Pets to develop into a movie? What is it in the story that you like so much?

Christian Haywood: There’s honestly so much in the story that I love. It’s got this goofy sense of comedy that I don’t think King taps into enough, and yet it’s wildly evocative as a genre piece. I think my connection to the film is really in the relationships between the pets and the owners. I come from a broken home and it’s not hard to see the story as a tackling of parents leaving, which seems to be one of these themes King unconsciously writes about.

SKSM: It is L.T’s Theory of Pets your debut as a director?

Christian Haywood: It’s not, I’ve been directing since I left High School, I’ve produced, written and directed a few pieces for university work, but in my spare time over the last 3 years I’ve made two shorts; one was a John Hughes-style high school spoof about cheating your exams and the other was a film about golf, shot in the style of the Leonne Spaghetti Westerns.

SKSM: Who will be involved into this project?

Christian Haywood: We’re a team of four students; we have a producer, Joe, a cinematographer, Ivee, and a sound designer, Jesse. They’re the best team I could ask for and are pulling out all the stops. We’re also lucky enough to have a handful of other amazing volunteers giving us a hand.

SKSM: How did you find out that King sold the movie rights to some of his stories for just $1? Was it just a wild guess or did you know it before you sent him the check?

Christian Haywood: I think I heard about a school in Wales doing a similar thing, but I was always vaguely aware that King sold the rights to students.

SKSM: How does it feel that all the King fans out there won’t see your movie? Do you think that will change in the future? Maybe an internet/dvd release would be possible?

Christian Haywood: It’s something we’re optimistic about, I guess you have to be; we make films so people can watch them! Really though there’s a good chance that more people would be able to see this at a festival than some unknown thing, that’s the power of Mr King!

SKSM: I guess it’s very soon to asking this question but… where the premiere will be? Do you plan to screen the movie at a particular festival?

Christian Haywood: No plans thus far, we have a local cinema in East London which we we’re thinking about approaching for a (free) screening, but we’ve got other deadlines to hit first for the powers that be.

SKSM: Are you a Stephen King fan? If so, which are your favorite works and adaptations?

Christian Haywood:OBSESSED. I’m actually currently studying his work as representative of American History, he’s an incredibly comprehensive writer of his culture. As for favourites, the obvious three have to be up there; Carrie, Shawshank and Shining. I’ve got a soft spot for Christine (the “show me” scene is awesome), but the favourite has got to be Stand By Me. There’s really nothing bad to say about it.

SKSM: Do you have any plans for making more movies based on Stephen King’s stories in the future? If you could pick -at least- one story to shoot, which one would it be and why?

Christian Haywood: I’m not sure, part of it is really finding a story you can personally attach to, rather than just the concept. I’m not sure if I’m smart enough to tackle a lot of the subjects a great mind like King does.

SKSM: Are you working on another project besides this one?

Christian Haywood: I’m currently writing a feature screenplay which I’d love to get off the ground in a year or two, other than that no, just focusing on graduating.

SKSM: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

Christian Haywood: I hate horror films! Since I was a kid I’ve struggled with gore, and that puts me off a lot of horror movies. But I do like suspense, one of the reasons I love King’s work; it’s far more about being afraid of being killed than actually being killed!

SKSM: What advice would you give to those people who want to be filmmakers?

Christian Haywood:Just gotta do it. Filmmaking’s not about planning, it’s about, well, making. I think most young filmmakers are worried that their ideas aren’t good enough, which is totally fair, and the more thought you put into something the better, but at the end of the day, if you can’t get it on a screen in front of an audience, what’s the point? Grab a camera, make a shit film, then do it again and make a slightly better one, then eventually you’ll be Kubrick (well, maybe not Kubrick).

SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything you want to say to your fans?

Christian Haywood:Haha, fans! I like that. If anyone does support or watch the film, whether it’s donating, sharing the Kickstarter on Facebook, telling your friends, or sitting through it at a festival, I’d like to say thank you. It humbles me that people can appreciate something I’ve longed to do since I was a kid. Thanks to King for allowing us to adapt this amazing story, and so many thanks to you for sharing our project and giving us a chance! Thank you, thank you, and thank you again!